Oct 21, 2008 8:15 PM

Hello all. I just ran Chicago two weeks ago and had a tough time with the heat. I know the weather will be much cooler but all I can think about is Beating the Bridge! Help me out....is it that scary...are there vans waiting there to pick you up if you do not make it.....what if you are on the bridge when your time is "up"...will they let you continue on?

It's a bus, actually a couple of them. You have until 1:15 to get to the bridge (20 miles). Once you're on the bridge you're golden. The buses continue in case anyone wants a ride but they let you go from then on.

Crazy question, but how do you figure that? I am worried, too, about the Bridge. I get 14*20/60=4.66, which would be little over 12:30, right? I'd sure feel better with 1:15 (though it's not much of a difference!).

and is it 14 min mile based on the 8:00 start time, each person's indiv (can't imagine), or the last person to cross the start? I think I am making this far more complicated than it is!!!!!!!! And totally stressing about it!!!!!!!!

Correct me if I am wrong...It is 1:15. They have to have a certain time to open traffic. I think that gives you a few minutes to cross the start. It took me 12 minutes last year. That was my top fear my first year, and my goal to "beat the slow bus"... a great goal for your first marathon.

Here's the quote from somewhere on the MCM web site, I can't remember exactly where it is: "Runners have until 1:15 p.m. to Beat The Bridge before it re-opens to vehicular traffic. Runners unable to reach the bridge will be asked to board the stragglers bus. To meet this timeline, a 14 minute per mile pace is required." So, 5:15 minus however long it takes you to cross the start divided by 20. A 14 minute pace is 4:40, giving you 35 minutes to cross the start (more than enough).

Hello all. I just ran Chicago two weeks ago and had a tough time with the heat. I know the weather will be much cooler but all I can think about is Beating the Bridge! Help me out....is it that scary...are there vans waiting there to pick you up if you do not make it.....what if you are on the bridge when your time is "up"...will they let you continue on?